The Farm Wife Sagas

If you know me (like really know me) you know I have some fears, some restrictions, and just a touch of stubbornness that keep me from doing certain things.

One of the big ones? Chickens. I am deathly afraid of them. Panic attack level afraid. When Colton and I were dating, his brother would wait until I came over to let his chickens roam… and then, just for fun, he’d shake the feed bag right as I pulled in. I’d sit in my car like it was a chicken-proof bunker until it was “safe.”

The fear goes way back to my childhood, when we had a rooster named Bob. Bob was straight-up mean like, he woke up every morning and chose violence. He’d chase me around the farm, jump on the four-wheeler while I was driving, and even chased my truck when I first got my license. Ever since Bob, I just don’t do birds.

Now, despite living on a farm all my life, I’ll admit I’ve been spoiled in certain areas. Backing trailers? Driving a stick shift? I always had Dad, Mom, Stumpy, or now Colton to do it. Why learn when someone else could do it for me? Plus, I get anxious when someone’s hovering or giving instructions faster than my brain can process.

But this weekend? Your girl did it.

I backed the stock trailer (loaded with our bull and a heifer) all the way up to the gate. ALL. BY. MYSELF. And I nailed it! I was so proud I just had to gloat a little. I called Colton and said “Guess what your wife just did?” He was on shift and I know the poor thing never knows what I’m going to say when he pick up one of my calls. But this time I got a laugh and a “I’m proud of you!”

Now, am I saying driving a stick shift is next?

Absolutely not. I have to keep some of my stubbornness intact and besides, we don’t even have one on the farm right now, so technically it’s not a “must.”

But here’s the thing, life has a funny way of stretching us in ways we don’t expect. Even if it’s something small, like backing a trailer, each little victory builds confidence for the next challenge. Fear, stubbornness, and old habits might slow us down, but they don’t have to stop us.

We can always adapt. We can always learn. And sometimes, the best growth happens when we surprise ourselves.